American Revolution
American Revolutionary War Clothing the Troops Historic Manuscript General Orders
c. 1775 Revolutionary War Period, Manuscript Document, comprised of Orders and Regulations for Issuing Clothing to Soldiers, with Docket reading: "Genl. Orders for Clothing", Very Fine.
General Orders for Clothing, 1-1/3 page folio Manuscript Document, measuring 12.5" x 8" apparently issued by the Continental Congress, setting forth various regulations for the issuance of clothing to the troops, and even empowering the Commander in Chief (General George Washington) to prescribe the design of the uniform. It also discourages the purchase of ready-made clothing, as raw cloth could be made into clothing by the Regimental tailors, at a much less expense. Nicely handwritten on clean period laid paper in rich brown ink that is clear and easily readable. Some outer marginal edge wear and splits at upper left, unsigned, and undated. This rare Revolutionary War Document reads, in part:
"The office of Regimental Clothier shall always be executed by the Regimental Pay Master. He is to be furnished by Captains, or Officers Commanding Companies, with returns specifying the Men's names, and the particular wants of each. These he is to digest into a Regimental Return... And to prevent in future, unequal distribution of clothing, either to the Officers or Soldiers, and the confusion and complaints which have been heretofore occasioned by irregular application from Commanding Officers of Regiments, to public Agents in different parts, it is hereby strictly enjoined, on the agents, the Clothier Gen'l., and the Sub or State Clothiers, to issue no clothing on any pretense whatever, but in the manner before prescribed...
And whereas discretionary changes of the uniforms of Regt. Have proved inconvenient, and expensive, the Commander in Chief is therefore authorized and directed, according to the circumstances of supplies of clothing, to fix & prescribe the Uniforms, as well with regard to the... facing, as the cut or fashion of the clothes to be worn by the Troops of the respective States and Regiments, which shall as fast as possible be complied with, by all Purchasing Agents employed by Congress as well as particular States, by the Clothier Gen'l, Sub or State Clothiers, and Regimental Clothier, and all officers & soldiers in the Army of the United States --- and when materials can be purchased instead of ready-made clothes, it shall always be preferred, in order that they may be made up by the tailors of the several Regiments, to save expenses, and prevent the disadvantage which the soldiers frequently [experience] from their unfitness. And instead of Breeches, Woolen Overalls for the Winter and Linen for the Summer are to be substituted..."
Plus much more historic context possibly meant for Regimental and Senior Quartermasters. An important, rarely encountered original document of the American Revolutionary War Continental Army.
PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF
AMBASSADOR J. WILLIAM MIDDENDORF II